Butterfly clip

ABSTRACT

A butterfly clip includes a body section, a first clip section and a second clip section. When pressure is applied to the body section to invert the body section from a concave orientation to a convex orientation, the first clip section and the second clip section secure a user&#39;s hair between the clips and the body section. Since there are two clip sections applying pressure against the body section, the butterfly clip securely remains in place in the user&#39;s hair. To release the butterfly clip, an opposing pressure is applied so that the clip sections move away from the body section.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/706,610 filed on Feb. 16, 2010 which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/154,227 filed on Feb. 9, 2009. The entire contents of each of these applications is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of hair styling devices. More specifically, the to present invention relates to the field of hair styling devices that hold a selected section or sections of hair.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When styling a person's hair, some styles require a pin, clip or other device to keep the hair in place. For example, to keep hair bunched together, one or more barrettes are able to be used. However, with the previous designs of pins, clips and other devices, the wearer's hair has a tendency to slip out of the device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A butterfly clip includes a body section, a first clip section and a second clip section. When pressure is applied to the body section to invert the body section from a concave orientation to a convex orientation, the first clip section and the second clip section secure a user's hair between the clips and the body section. Since there are two clip sections applying pressure against the body section, the butterfly clip securely remains in place in the user's hair. To release the butterfly clip, an opposing pressure is applied so that the clip sections move away from the body section.

One aspect of the present application is directed to a device for retaining hair in a desired location. The device comprises a body section and a plurality of clip sections extending from the body section, wherein the body section is configured to invert from a concave orientation in an open position to a convex orientation in a closed position. In some embodiments, the plurality of clip sections each include an over-center bend. In some embodiments, the plurality of clip sections each include a coupling mechanism to couple the plurality of clip sections to each other. In some embodiments, the coupling mechanism is either a magnet or a hook and loop mechanism. In some embodiments, the device comprises plastic, wood, metal, bone or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the structure of the body section is configured into a decorative design. In some embodiments, the decorative design comprises an oval, circle, square, rectangle, star or heart shape. In some embodiments, the plurality of clip sections extend from end portions of the body section and extend inward toward the middle of the body section. In some embodiments, the body section comprises at least one aperture. In some embodiments, the first and second clip sections comprise at least one aperture.

Another aspect of the present application is directed to a method of retaining hair in a desired location. The method comprises configuring a hair clip in an open position wherein the hair clip comprises a body section and a plurality of clip sections extending from the body section, wherein the body section is configured to invert from a concave orientation in the open position to a convex orientation in a closed position, inserting one of the plurality of clip sections into place by positioning a first section of hair between the one clip section and the body section, inserting the remainder of the plurality of clip sections into place by positioning a second section of hair between the remainder of hair clip sections and the body section, securing the first and second sections of hair in place by configuring the hair clip in the closed position. In some embodiments, the plurality of clip sections each include an over-center bend. In some embodiments, the plurality of clip sections each include a coupling mechanism to couple the plurality of clip sections to each other. In some embodiments, the coupling mechanism is either a magnet or a hook and loop mechanism. In some embodiments, the device comprises plastic, wood, metal, bone or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the structure of the body section is configured into a decorative design. In some embodiments, the decorative design comprises an oval, circle, square, rectangle, star or heart shape. In some embodiments, the plurality of clip sections extend from end portions of the body section and extend inward toward the middle of the body section. In some embodiments, the body section comprises at least one aperture. In some embodiments, the first and second clip sections comprise at least one aperture.

Yet another aspect of the present application is directed to a device for retaining hair in a desired location. The device comprises a body section and a first and a second clip section extending from the body section, wherein the body section is configured to invert from a concave orientation in an open position to a convex orientation in a closed position, wherein the first and second clip sections extend from substantially opposite sides of the body section. In some embodiments, the first and second clip sections each include an over-center bend. In some embodiments, the first and second clip sections each include a coupling mechanism to couple the first and second clip sections to each other. In some embodiments, the coupling mechanism is either a magnet or a hook and loop mechanism. In some embodiments, the device comprises plastic, wood, metal, bone or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the structure of the body section is configured into a decorative design. In some embodiments, the decorative design comprises an oval, circle, square, rectangle, star or heart shape. In some embodiments, the first and second clip sections extend from end portions of the body section and extend inward toward the middle of the body section. In some embodiments, the body section comprises at least one aperture. In some embodiments, the first and second clip sections comprise at least one aperture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of a butterfly clip in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side perspective view of a butterfly clip in an open position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side perspective view of a butterfly clip in a closed position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates flowchart of a method of utilizing a butterfly clip in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates an ovular butterfly clip in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a square butterfly clip with a pattern in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a circular butterfly clip with items on the body of the clip in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a heart butterfly clip in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a star butterfly clip in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A butterfly clip includes a body section, a first clip section and a second clip section. The butterfly clip has a topology such that when pressure is applied to the body section to invert the body section from a concave orientation to a convex orientation, the first clip section and the second clip section secure a user's hair between the clips and the body section. Since there are two clip sections applying pressure against the body section, the butterfly clip securely remains in place in the user's hair. In some embodiments, there are one or more apertures within the body section for the hair to partially protrude through to provide further friction to secure the hair in place. To release the butterfly clip, an opposing pressure is applied so that the clip sections move away from the body section.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of a butterfly clip 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The butterfly clip 100 includes a body section 102. The body section 102 is configured with a butterfly shape including wider ends and a narrow middle area. The body section 100 is also configured in an open position in a concave orientation which is able to be inverted to a closed position in a convex orientation. A first clip section 104 and a second clip section 106 extend from or are coupled to the body section 102. In some embodiments, the first and second clip sections 104, 106 extend inward from substantially opposite ends of the clip body. Alternatively, the clip sections 104, 106 are able to couple to the middle of the clip body 100 and extend outward. In some embodiments, any number of clip sections configured similarly to the two described herein are conceived. In some embodiments, the first clip section 104 and the second clip section 106 are coupled to the body section 102 at a hinge or other coupling means well known in the art. Alternatively, the body section 102 and the first and second clip sections 104, 106 are all part of a continuous member wherein the member is bent or otherwise shaped in order to form the body and clip sections. The body section 102 includes at least one aperture 108 which hair is able to protrude through slightly when the body section 102 is in the closed position. In some embodiments, each side of the butterfly clip 100 has a separate aperture 108. In some embodiments, the first clip section 104 and the second clip section 106 each have an aperture 110. Each of the first clip section 104 and the second clip section 106 has a bend 112. In some embodiments, the bend 112 is an over-center bend such that the bend 112 is not directly in the middle of the clip section, but rather the bend 112 is near the middle but is slightly closer to the ends of the body section 110. The bend 112 enables the first clip section 104 and the second clip section 106 to apply additional pressure against a user's hair. In some embodiments, the first clip section 104 and the second clip section 106 each include a coupling mechanism 120 (FIG. 2) to clip together.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side perspective view of a butterfly clip 100 in an open position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the open position, the body section 102 has a concave orientation such that the middle of the body section 102 is caved inward with relation to the tops of each of the ends of the body section 102. Additionally, the first clip section 104 and the second clip section 106 point outward away from the body section 102. In some embodiments, the first clip section 104 and the second clip section 106 include a coupling mechanism 120 to clip together in the closed position. In some embodiments, the coupling mechanism 120 is a magnet, a hook and loop device or any other coupling mechanism.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side perspective view of a butterfly clip 100 in a closed position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the closed position, the body section 102 has a convex orientation such that the middle of the body section 102 is pushed outward in relation to the tops of each of the ends of the body section 102. Additionally, the first clip section 104 and the second clip section 106 point inward toward the body section 102.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of a method of utilizing a butterfly clip in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. In the step 400, the butterfly clip is configured in an open position. If the butterfly clip is already in the open configuration, this step is able to be skipped. In the step 402, a first clip section of the butterfly clip is inserted into place with a desired section of hair positioned between the first clip section and the body section. In the step 404, a second clip section of the butterfly clip is inserted into place with the desired section of hair positioned between the second clip section and the body section. In some embodiments, the steps 402 and 404 occur at approximately the same time. In the step 406, the first clip section and the second clip section are clipped in place by applying pressure to the body section so that the butterfly clip changes to the closed position. In some embodiments, clipping the butterfly clip in place involves holding the ends of the body section while putting pressure in the middle of the body section causing the body section to invert. In some embodiments, clipping the butterfly clip in place involves pushing the ends of the body section against a user's head so that the middle of the body section is pushed out also causing the body section to invert. In some embodiments, clipping the butterfly clip in place is performed a different way. When the user desires to remove the butterfly clip, the user applies pressure to the body section so that the butterfly clip changes to the open position, and the user is able to remove the butterfly clip, in the step 408. In some embodiments, removing the butterfly clip involves pushing the middle of the body section so that the clip inverts to the open position. In some embodiments, removing the butterfly clip is performed a different way.

FIGS. 5-9 illustrate alternative shapes of the butterfly clip. FIG. 5 illustrates an ovular butterfly clip 500. FIG. 6 illustrates a square butterfly clip 600 with a pattern such as an animal pattern (e.g. a zebra or leopard). FIG. 7 illustrates a circular butterfly clip 700 with items such as diamonds on the body of the clip. FIG. 8 illustrates a heart butterfly clip 800. FIG. 9 illustrates a star butterfly clip 900. The butterfly clips shown in FIGS. 5-9 function similarly to the butterfly clip described above and have the same or similar components. Each of the variations described herein is able to be mixed-and-matched. For example, although the square butterfly clip 600 includes an animal pattern, the circular butterfly clip 700 is able to have the animal pattern.

The topology of the butterfly clip is such that the butterfly clip is able to be configured in an open configuration and a closed configuration without permanent deformation.

The butterfly clip is able to be constructed of any appropriate material including but not limited to plastic, wood, metal, bone and a combination thereof. The butterfly clip is able to be any color. In some embodiments, the butterfly clip matches hair colors such as blonde, brunette, black and red so that the butterfly clip matches the hair when left in the hair.

The butterfly clip is able to be any size. In some embodiments, the butterfly clip is approximately 2-4 inches long. The butterfly clip is able to be any shape and is not limited to a butterfly shape. For example, the butterfly clip is able to be oval, circular or any other shape. In some embodiments, the butterfly clip includes designs or decorations such as rhinestones or glitter to add to the appearance of the butterfly clip.

To utilize the butterfly clip, a user inserts the clip into the user's hair with the desired hair inserted between the clip sections and the body section. Then, the user applies pressure so that the body section inverts to a closed position. With the body inverted, the body section and the clip sections apply pressure against each other sandwiching the hair in the middle. To remove the butterfly clip, the user applies pressure so that the body section inverts back to the open position which enables the butterfly clip to slip out of the user's hair.

In operation, the butterfly clip is able to hold a person's hair in place better than standard clips. By utilizing two clip sections, more hair is contained within the hair clip than a single clip device, thus a user's hair is secured in place better. The butterfly clip has an over-center bend which also provides for a more secure fit.

The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments incorporating details to facilitate the understanding of principles of construction and operation of the invention. Such reference herein to specific embodiments and details thereof is not intended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. It will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art that other various modifications may be made in the embodiment chosen for illustration without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. 

1. A device for retaining hair in a desired location comprising: a. a body section; and b. a plurality of clip sections extending from the body section, wherein the body section is configured to invert from a concave orientation in an open position to a convex orientation in a closed position. 